Washing machine



March 13, 1934.

J. B. KIRBY WASHING momma Filed June 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l "llllllrllll. 1.1.1,":

James B.Kirb8 Inventor Atto rues! March 13, 1934. J. B. KIRBY Q 1,950,732.

' WASHING MACHINE Filed June 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y n V Jq mes B. Kirbs I nogntor A tOrnQjS-J l iently small quantities of lingerie and extracting- Patented Mar. 13, 1934 PATENT OFFICE 1,950,732 WASHING MACHINE James B. Kirby, West Richfield, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Improvements Incorporated, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 29, 1928, Serial. No. 289,290

18 Claims. (on. 68-18) This invention relates to clothes washing machines and has for its object the provision of a simple, inexpensive, compact and small-sized machine by which small amounts of clothing can be washed and extracted quickly and conveniently.

Most apartment-house dwellers desire at times to do small amounts of personal laundry, yet have no conveniences therefor nor place to store the same if they possessed them; and many others than apartment dwellers desire to dosmall amounts of washing at different times for which, the ordinary large-sized washing machine is unnecessarily cumbersome. The majority of houses, flats, and apartments in America at the present day are equipped with bath-tubs and the main object of my invention is the provision of a simple, compact, readily portable and easily stored machine capable of attachment to and use in such bath-tub for the purpose of washing conventhe water centrifugally. Other objects of the invention are the provision of a machine of reversible type which may be moved from one position to be charged and discharged of clothing and fabrics, and moved to a second position for washing and/or extracting. My invention also contemplates new and improved expedients for introducing liquid for washing, wringing, bluing, etc. purposes; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved washing machine in operative position inside of a bathtub; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same device moved to receiving and discharging position; Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 5, 6, and '7 are sectional views corresponding to the similarly numbered lines in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view showing the construction of the hollow supporting stem; and Fig. 9 shows a modification.

The clothing container of my improved washing machine consists of ahollow cover member 1 symmetrical about a linear axis, and having at one end a hollow tubularneck 2 coaxial therewith, the opposite end of said container being provided with a displaceable body 3 preferably hinged at 4 at one side and secured by a latch 5' at the opposite side. The neck 2 is externally cylindrical and is rotatably journaled into the hollow cylindrical sleeve 6 of the gear box 7, being held against longitudinal movement in one direction by means of a flange 8 carried by said neck and engaging one wall of the gear box by means of a suitable thrust-bearing 9, and in the other direction by a suitable shoulder. 10 formed at the junction of the cover 1 and neck 2. From the neck the cover 1 flares laterally to a maximum diameter at about 12 where it is formed with a plurality of liquid discharge openings 13, after which it is again reduced in diameter for the reception of the bowl portion or body 3 which also has upwardly flaring side walls 14. The interior of the body is provided with one or more suitable blades 15 carried by the side wall and constituting dashers. The exterior of the sleeveflfi is formed with alined lateral trunnions 1818 by means of which said neck is pivoted inside a ring 19; and said ring 19 in turn is provided with two oppositely projecting trunnions 2020 which are journaled in bearings 21 integral with bracket arms 22-'-22 whose ends are formed with padded feet 2323 adapted to rest on the rim 2a of a bath-tub with the trunnion 20-20 horizontal and cross-wise of said tub. These brackets are held together by means of collars 25-25 carried by the ends of the trunnions 20, and the trunnions 20 and 18 are perpendicular to each other and to the axis of the sleeve 6 so that said neck has a universal movement within the limits permitted by the internal diameter of the ring 19, and is also completely rotatable about the axis defined by the trunnionsZO. Of course the device can be supported otherwise than on a bath-tub, as in a sink or basin, but is designed primarily as an article of manufacture and sale which can be applied to and used with any common domestic spiral gear 32 meshing with a companion gear 33 Y which is rigid with the spurgear 34 and pinion 35. The pinion 35 meshes with a second spur gear 36 whose face is provided with an eccentric stud 37 connected by means of a pitman 38 with an oscillating rack 39. Slidably mounted onthe neck 2, but constrained to turn therewith by -means of a key 40, is a hollow sleeve 41, provided with a spur pinion'42, adapted in one position are of adjustment to mesh with the gear 34 by which it is rotated, continuously at high speed, or in the other position of its adjustment, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, to mesh with the rack 39 by which it and the receptacle are afforded a motion of continuous oscillation. 'The end of the sleeve 41 (and also in the present embodiment that of the neck 2) projects through the removable cover 44 of the gear box where it is provided with a handle 45. This handle is preferably made with a smooth contour to prevent any possibility of injury to the operator, and is further, preferably, swiveled to the end of the sleeve 41 so that it can be conveniently grasped while the parts are in operation. In the present embodiment I have shown the sleeve 41 and the hub 46 of the handle as formed with registering circumferential grooves between which are introduced a row of steel balls 47 through a suitable aperture in the hub, which aperture is afterwards closed. The handle is preferably formed with a central aperture-48 communicating with the bore of the neck 2, and also is preferably, as shown in Fig., 8, provided with a metal lining sleeve 49 whichprojects loosely into said stern sufiiciently far to overlap the joint. This arrangement permits the insertion of a spray hose 50, with which most bath rooms are equipped, for the introduction of liquid into the container while it is in operating position.

The exterior of the container is preferably formed around the openings 13 with a cylindrical seat 60 defined between outwardly projecting rigid fingers 61,and fitting against the seat and guided between said fingers is a segmental ring 62 whose parts are yieldingly held together by tangent springs 63 connected to out-turned brackets 64 with which the adjacent ends of the segments are provided. Also I preferably provide the neck 2 at itsjunction with the cover 1, with an axially movable check valve 65 adapted to fall into open position when the container hangs downwardly as shown in Fig. 1 and into closed position when the container is moved to the upward position shown in Fig. 2. I preferably provide one of the brackets 22 with a latch 66 (a common cupboard catch or door-bolt works very well) adapted to engage a notch 67 formed in the ring 19 to hold the cover 1 in receiving position shown in Fig. 2. Also the exterior of the neck 6 is provided near its free end with a hollow flaring shield 70 which extends sufi'iciently far to overlap the apertures 13.

The operation of the device is as follows: the container is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the body 3 displaced. The valve 65 falls shut by gravity, and in addition to the fabric articles to be washed, the desired quantity of washing liquid can be added at this time. ,The container is then closed, the latch 66 withdrawn, and the container is moved to operating position shown in Fig. '1. The motor is now'set into operation and the sleeve 41 placed in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 whereupon a vigorous oscillating motion is afforded to the conring 62 when the latter is used. Before escaping this liquid causes the fabric articles to float automatically into such position of uniform distribution that little vibration is produced, and that little is readily accommodated by the universal connection between the neck 2 and bracket 22. Rinsing liquid can now be introduced through the hose 50, either with or without stopping the spinning movement. Preferably the sleeve 41 is returned to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and sufiicient rinsing liquid introduced to allow the clothes to float freely and be brought intoclose contact with liquid,

(although no injury to the fabrics can occurby reason of any operation of the device'without liquid), after which the centrifugal extracting operation can be repeated. Bluing if desired can be introduced in the same manner and similarly removed. Disposal of the ejected liquid is effected by means ofthe tub, itself (or other plumbing fixture) which is always provided with a suitable drain 71, and splashing of the extracted liquid is prevented by the shield 70. The operations of washing, rinsing, bluing, together with all extraction of liquid are effected without need for the operators hands to touch liquid at all, and at the end of the operation'the container is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the completely washed clothes removed.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 the arms .22 of the frame are bent downwardly to stand on a fiat surface such as the bottom 75 of a sink. The shield 70 is a mere ring of metal carried by these arms, and the bowl-shaped body 3 is merely fastened to the cover 1 by hooks 5 so as to be raised slightly off the supporting surface. To assemble the bowl-part 3 ,is first rested on the surface '75 as shown in dotted lines, then the remaining parts are placed above the same by means of the handles 76. I The bowl is next raised, one side at'a time and the hooks fastened.

It will be understood that a great many changes can be made therein within the scope -of my inventive idea and I do not limit myself to any details except as the same are specifically recited in my several claims which I desire may be construed each independent of limitations contained in other claims- Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. The combination with a stationary domestic plumbing fixture of a clothes washing and extracting machine located inside the same, and comprising a supporting frame, a container con-,- structed to hold detergent liquid when at rest and to discharge said liquid centrifugally into saidplumbing fixture when rotated at a predetermined speed, mechanism for selectively agitating the contents of said container and rotating said container at liquid discharging speed, said plumbing fixture serving as a receptor for the extracted liquid. 1

2. The combination with a stationary domestic plumbing fixture of a clothes washing and extracting machine therein and comprisinga supporting frame adapted to engage said. plumbing fixture, a container journaled -in said frame upon a vertical axis, said container having an imperforate bottom and upwardly flaring walls defining a surface of revolution about said axis,

said frame for selectively agitating the contentsof said container and rotating said container 1,950,732 about its axis, and a bottomless splash guard surrounding said container outside of said apertures, the stationary plumbing fixture constituting a receptacle for the extracted liquid.

3. In a laundry machine, a supporting frame, a container for clothing and detergent liquid, said container comprising a cover and a body, means journaling. said cover for rotation about its axis, said body meeting said cover on a plane whichis perpendicular to said axis and having upwardly flaring walls which define a surface of revolution about said axis, said container being imperforate below a given level and having liquid discharge apertures at its level of greatest diameter, and mechanism carried by said frame and operatively engaging said cover for agitating the contents of said container and alternatively rotating said container about said axis at such speed as to discharge its liquid contents through said apertures.

4. The combination of a portable washer and extractor comprising a receptacle adapted to hold clothing and liquid when at rest, and having slanted and apertured side walls concentric to a vertical axis and adapted to permit centrifugal discharge of liquid on rotation, means for supporting said receptacle above the drainable surface of a stationary plumbing fixture, means for alternatively agitating the contents of said receptacle and rotating said receptacle at high speed about its vertical axis, and a non-revolving open bottom shell surrounding said receptacle opposite its outlet apertures for arresting the centrifugal inertia of the extracted liquid.

5. A centrifugal extracting machine comprising an upright container for liquid and fabrics concentric about a vertical axis, means for rotating said container about said axis for discharging the liquid therefrom, and means for detachably supporting said extracting machine upon the rim of an open-topped casing whereby said casing constitutes a receptacle for the extracted liquid.

6. In a washing machine, a container .having a bowl portion and a cover portion, means securing said portions together, a blade in said bowl portion, and a frame to which said coverportion is journaled on a vertical axis above said bowl portion, said bowl portion having an upwardly flaring side wall formed as a surface of revolution about said axis and having liquid discharge openings in its upper part and being substantially imperforate below said openings, in combination with mechanism for alternatively revolving and oscillating said cover portion.

7. In a washing machine, a container having a cover part and a body part, said cover part having a neck which is pivoted transversely and journaled longitudinally, and said body part being separate from said cover part on a plane transverse to the stem, in combination with means for selectively oscillating and rotating said cover part. 1 i

8. A washing machine and centrifuge comprising a portable frame, a revoluble container journaled in said frame, operating mechanism carried by said frame for selectively rotating said container or agitating its contents, said container having walls formed as a surface of revolution about the journal axis and imperforate in their bottom part so as to hold'both clothes and detergent liquid, said walls flaring upwardly and being apertured in their upper part for the centrifugal discharge of such liquid, said container comprising a body portion and a cover, and said operating mechanism engaging a part of said cover.

9. In a clothes washing machine, an exposed container for clothes and liquid, said container comprising a cover and a hollow body operatively attached thereto, a supporting element, a vertical bearing for said cover carried bysaid supporting elment,. and two trains of driving mechanism carried by said supporting element and selectively coupled to said cover, one of the same producing a'motion of continuous rotation, and the other a motion of back and forth rotation thereof.

10. In a clothes washing and extracting ma- I chine, an exposed container for clothes and liquid, symmetrical about a vertical axis and having its walls slanted outwardly from each end to a plane of maximum diameter between its ends and there formed with water discharge apertures, an agitating blade located inside said. container, the walls of said container being devoid of apertures below its plane of maximum diameter, and a journal bearing for said container located above said plane of maximum diameter.

11. In a washing machine, a container for clothes and liquid having a hollow body and a neck at one end thereof, a'support adapted to fit in stationary domestic bath tubs or like plumbing fixtures, and a bearing pivoted to said support on a horizontal axis, said bearing having said neck journaled therein on a vertical axis and said body depending vertically below the same, and mecha-'- nism for selectively oscillating and rotating said neck about such vertical axis.

12. As an article of manufacture and sale, a clothes-washing machine and centrifuge comprising, an exposed container for the clothing and liquid, mechanism including an electric motor for agitating the container contents and. for rotating said container at high speed to extract and discharge the liquid contents therefrom, and means for supporting said container in a sink or bathtub with its axis arranged substantially vertically, whereby said sink or bath-tub may constitute a receptacle for the discharged liquid.

13. As an article of manufacture and sale, an extracting machine comprising an exposed clothing and liquid container adapted to be used in conjunction with any customary sink or bath-tub, which serves as a receptacle for the extracted liquid, and means for supporting and spinning said container about a substantially vertical axis to extract and discharge its liquid contents therefrom.

14. As an article of manufacture and sale, a

washing and extracting machine comprising a frame adapted for introduction into any ordinary domestic sink 'or bath-tub,'a container for clothes and liquid carried by saidframe, mechanism carried by said frame to agitate the container contents and to rotate said container to extract the liquid contents, and an openbottomed shield carried by said frame to direct such extracted liquid into the sink or tub.

15. An extractor comprising a single container for clothes and liquid having: apertures in its side wall for the discharge of liquid during rapid rotation, an open bottomed member to which said container is journaled and from which it hangs, and means flexibly supporting said member.

16. The combination with a casing'openat its top,'of a laundry machine adapted for suspension inside the same, said machine comprising a container for clothing and liquid, a frame to which saidcontainer is journaled on a vertical axis, said frame having provisions for gripping the top rim of said casing for detachably supporting said laundry machine in said casing, an electric motor 3' located above the container, and operative connections between said motor and container for driving the same and extracting liquid from the clothing and from said container, said casing constituting a receiver for the extracted liquid.

17.-In a clothes washing and extracting machine, a single container for both clothing and liquid hung on a universal joint and depending therebeneath, and mechanism for washing clothing inside said container and for rotating said container, the walls of said container being imperforate'in their lower part and apertured in their upper part and flared upwardly so as to retain liquid when at rest and eject it when rotated. 18. In a laundry machine, in combination, a. frame adaptedto rest upon the drainable surface s of a stationary plumbing fixture, a hollow membe! journaled to said frame upon a vertical axis and adapted when at rest to contain clothing and liquid, said member having upwardly-slanting walls apertured at a level above its bottom to permit the centrifugal discharge of the liquid contents upon rotation of said member, and substantially imperi'orate below such apertures to, enable it to retain detergent liquid during the 

